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To reduce the levels of pollution, we are responsible for enforcing legislation on:
For information on noise pollution, visit the noise control section.
We can deal with excessive artificial light coming from poorly positioned security lights, garden lights, flood lighting from sports grounds or industrial lighting.
It does not cover:
If you are being disturbed by artificial lighting, there are two ways to address it.
Neighbours may not be aware that their external lighting is bothering you and may be happy to meet your requests or make a compromise. Choose a suitable time to discuss the problem and remember to be calm, polite and courteous and to avoid confrontation. You may also feel more comfortable bringing another person with you.
However, if you don't feel able to approach those responsible for the lighting, or have already tried and were unsuccessful, more direct action may be needed and you should contact us.
We'll make an assessment of the lighting. We may ask you to keep a diary recording the dates and times of each disturbance, or to allow our officers into your home to monitor the level of lighting.
If we agree that a nuisance exists or is likely to occur, we can serve the person responsible with an Abatement Notice, asking them to alter or reduce it.
If they don't comply with the notice, we can take the offender to court where they can be fined up to £5,000 (private premises) or up to £20,000 for commercial or industrial premises.
We can also undertake works to ensure compliance with the notice and recover any costs incurred from the person responsible.
Almost all of the Belfast City Council area is described as a smoke control zone. Smoke control zones were created to control the emissions of smoke from homes in the city.
The only parts of Belfast that aren't included are located in the rural periphery of the city, to the southwest, north and the docks area. This is because these areas are mostly either unpopulated or sparsely populated.
For information on exempt appliances and authorised fuels that can be used in Belfast's smoke control zone, go to:
There’s more information about smoke control areas on the GOV.UK website (link opens in new window)
Under The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 Article 17(2), any person who is found guilty of an offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine up to and not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1000).
Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria that inhabits freshwater, coastal and marine waters. When the bacteria increases and forms blooms, this can cause poor water quality and produce harmful toxins.
For more information on blue-green algae in Northern Ireland, go to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (link opens in new window).
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